In addition to playing for a chance to stay undefeated in conference play, the Cerritos College and Long Beach City College teams were also playing for local pride and possession of the Crosstown Cup on Saturday. The Falcons (2-3, 1-1), who led by as many as 10 points (27-17) midway through the fourth quarter, ended up losing a 38-30 double overtime decision to the Vikings (3-2, 2-0). After a bye week, Cerritos will host Mt. San Antonio College at 6:00 p.m. on October 19.

Cerritos broke a 14-14 tie in the third quarter when sophomore linebacker Caleb Nuhi-Yandall (Banning HS) raced 72 yards on a fake punt. However, the extra point was missed. After the Vikings converted a field goal, the Falcons extended their lead to 27-17 when sophomore running back Cheo Medina (Northview HS) raced 19 yards for a touchdown with 7:17 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Long Beach City responded with a touchdown of the own and after a three-and-out by the Falcons, the game was tied at 27-27 on an 18-yard field goal by Eric Zavala with 1:51 left. It looked as though the Vikings would score a touchdown after a big play put the ball at the Cerritos two-yard line. But several critical defensive stops by freshman linebacker Adrian Castro (La Serna HS) on first down, was followed by the duo of Leroy Palu (Mayfair HS) and Ryan Tuaolo (St. John Bosco HS/UNLV) stuffing Kaleb Foster for no gain on second down. An incomplete pass forced the tying field goal.

After the clock ran out on regulation, Cerritos took possession of the ball in the first overtime. A pair of Vikings penalties moved the ball to the LBCC two-yard line, which is where the offense stalled and had to rely on a 20-yard field goal by Christian Guerra (Paramount HS) to put points on the board. The Cerritos defense held on the Vikings drive and they were forced to convert a 26-yard field goal.

In the second overtime, Long Beach City scored on their third play from scrimmage and converted the two-point conversion. The game ended on an attempted trick play by the Falcons, with freshman quarterback Evan Tomich (Mayfair HS) getting picked off in the end zone by Jonah Martinez, who recorded three interceptions on the night.

Sophomore running back Michael Hayes (St. John Bosco HS) rushed for 161 yards on 26 carries, which included a 1-yard touchdown run late in the first half. 

The defensive line received excelled games from sophomores Kevonte' Henry (Leuzinger HS) and Adam Tomczyk (Los Alamitos HS/Utah State University), who each had eight tackles and combined for 5 1/2 tackles for loss and three quarterback hurries. Sophomore defensive backs Davion Jordan (Mayfair HS) and Reuelroy Luvu (Bishop Garcia Diego HS) each registered seven stops, while Jordan picked off a pass.

Photos by Daryl Peterson